Isco pays tribute to Zidane following contract renewal

Isco paid tribute to Zinedine Zidane for his role in developing his talents after signing a new five-year Real Madrid contract.

The Spain international joined Madrid from Malaga in 2013 and has enjoyed an immensely successful time at the Santiago Bernabeu, winning 11 trophies with the club.

It was announced on Thursday the 25-year-old had agreed a new deal which will tie him to the club until 2022, rewarding him for becoming a key player in Zidane's squad.

Isco has not always had everything his own way at Madrid, however, with James Rodriguez's arrival in 2014 providing him with competition and forcing the Spaniard to accept a squad role.

But with James' loan move to Bayern Munich in the close-season, Isco's success in their duel was apparent and the Valencia youth product praised Zidane for his guidance during those more difficult periods.

"I've grown as a footballer," Isco told reporters at a media conference. "I've improved, and perhaps I score now as I play closer to the area.

"Zizou [Zidane] has been very important. He's put me there [in a more advanced role]. I've also had to have patience when I didn't have as many opportunities. But it has always been my idea to stay here and hopefully I do for many years.

"The truth is I'm very happy and proud to be able to keep playing for the best team in the world. Eleven trophies in four years is unbelievable – I couldn't have hoped for more."